Poker has long been one of the most popular casino games in the world. The competitive nature of the game just brings a level of entertainment and excitement to the game that many other casino games aren’t necessarily able to replicate. That’s why the game of poker has managed to inspire the creation of various poker leagues, tournaments, and television shows. It has now become a commercial entity that’s able to rival big sports leagues.
And as it is with any kind of competitive arena, there are a few standouts that just manage to rise above the rest. These are the outliers of the poker scene who have dedicated their entire lives to learning and mastering the game. In this article, we are going to go over the best professional poker players to learn from if you’re still a beginner poker player. So, before you start hitting up the poker games on sites like GamblingMentor, take some time to study the playing styles of some of the pros that will be listed here. A lot of their games can be found on sites like YouTube where you can really analyze their strategies and try to learn from their techniques.
Daniel Negreanu
Aside from being a multi-decorated poker player with a good collection of different awards and recognitions, Daniel Negreanu also happens to be one of the most likable and popular professionals in the world of poker. This Canada-native first sharpened his skills as a poker player in Toronto before he started making a name for himself in Las Vegas. It was in 1997 when Negreanu had his first big break by making it all the way to the World Poker Finals wherein he finished the event off with two wins. Since then, Daniel has won six WSOP bracelets with net winnings of over $42 million. Negreanu’s strengths lie in his ability to read other players on the table and even outright declare what their cards are straight to their face.
Phil Ivey
While Negreanu is known for being a talker while he plays, Ivey takes a more stoic and reserved approach to his poker games. He’s a well-respected professional with over 10 WSOP bracelets. Ivey is known for always keeping a level head when he plays and making the hardest decisions that most people wouldn’t be able to make themselves. He’s an incredibly disciplined player who almost always makes all the right moves to put himself in the best possible position to win.
Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson may be old, but there’s a reason why he’s considered a legend in the poker community. Remember that poker is a sport that has been around a very long time, and that means that people have been studying it for decades. Brunson has had more than 50 years of experience playing poker and is considered one of the smartest and wisest players in the game. He always plays with a cool and calm demeanor that allows him to be tactical and methodical in his approach as a player.
Tom Dwan
Tom Dwan is the youngest in this group, but one shouldn’t be fooled by this baby-faced assassin. He started his poker journey with just a $50 bankroll. Now, Dawn is a multi-millionaire due to his success as a poker player. He’s also known for being involved in some of the biggest pots in the history of televised cash games. Dawn is a relatively loose player who is very skilled at manipulating positions and bets in order to get other players to do what he wants. He has three WSOP finals appearances, but he has yet to secure a bracelet of his own.